Ethan Clarke
Plastic cups are a significant contributor to the global waste crisis, with the United States alone discarding enough plastic cups to circle the Earth an astonishing 300 times. While all plastics can technically be recycled, the process for some plastics is more challenging and expensive, and not all recycling centres are equipped to handle them. Plastic resin codes, those numbers between one and seven inside a small triangle, indicate the type of resin used but do not signify whether the product can be recycled. Typically, plastics #3 to #6 are harder to recycle, and polystyrene or plastic #6, often used in disposable cups, is not recycled by most cities. However, some places, like Seattle, ignore these resin codes and have their own list of acceptable plastic items for recycling, which includes cups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic type | 5 and 6 |
| Plastic type recyclability | Plastic type 5 and 6 are more difficult to recycle and may not be accepted by some recycling centers |
| Plastic type 5 and 6 examples | Polystyrene used for disposable styrofoam drinking cups, take-out containers, packing peanuts, etc. |
| Plastic resin code | Numbers between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows |
| Plastic resin code usage | Denotes the type of plastic resin the container is made of, not its ability to be recycled |
| Plastic recycling in Seattle | Ignore the numbers on the plastic containers and recycle rigid food containers such as bottles, cups, takeout containers, tubs, jars, lids wider than 3 inches, plant pots, and bags if they are bundled and tied together |
| Plastic recycling in Massachusetts | Statewide waste ban prohibits the disposal of any single-resin narrow-necked bottles (soda bottles) in trash bins. Recycling these containers is mandatory |
| Plastic recycling in other locations | May vary, check with local recycling guidelines |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic cups are made from polystyrene, commonly known as PS or plastic #6
- Plastic #6 is not recycled by most cities
- Plastic #5 and #6 are harder to recycle, and some centres do not process them
- Blosburg Recycling may not accept plastic #5 and #6 cups, but they can be recycled through a process called pyrolization
- McDonald's is testing a new type of clear drinking cup made from 50% recycled content
Plastic cups are made from polystyrene, commonly known as PS or plastic #6
Plastic cups are predominantly made from polystyrene, also known as PS or plastic #6. Polystyrene is a versatile plastic that is lightweight, rigid, and inexpensive, making it a popular choice for disposable cups and containers. It is easily recognised as the white foam blocks used in packaging or takeaway food containers.
Polystyrene is identified by the number 6 enclosed in a triangle of arrows, known as a resin code. This code does not necessarily indicate that the product can be recycled. While all plastics can theoretically be recycled through a process called pyrolysis, some types of plastic are harder to recycle than others. Plastic #6, for example, has a low recycling rate, and many recycling centres do not process it.
Polystyrene is derived from oil, like most plastics, and is made from the monomer styrene. It was invented in 1839 by German apothecary Eduard Simon and has a variety of uses beyond disposable cups, including CD cases, toys, insulation, and even some food containers.
Polystyrene has been linked to potential health hazards, as it may leach chemicals into beverages, especially when exposed to hot and oily substances. These chemicals can have toxic effects on the brain, nervous system, genes, lungs, liver, and immune system. Additionally, polystyrene is a significant environmental pollutant due to its longevity in the environment and the lightweight nature of its foam composition, which can easily spread and be ingested by animals.
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Plastic #6 is not recycled by most cities
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, a number between one and seven inside a triangle made of arrows. The presence of a resin code does not necessarily indicate that the product is recyclable. Most recycling centres accept plastics #1 and #2, but plastics #3 to #6 are more difficult to recycle, and some recycling centres do not process them. Plastic #7 is even more challenging to recycle and is almost always excluded.
Plastics #3 to #6 are harder to recycle because they are harder to process. For example, polystyrene (PS) is commonly used to make disposable coffee cups, takeout containers, packing peanuts, and other items. However, polystyrene is not generally recyclable and accounts for about 35% of US landfill material. It breaks apart easily, often ending up in the stomachs of marine animals and on beaches. Polystyrene's chemical compounds have been linked to human reproductive system dysfunction.
Another example is polypropylene (PP), which is used in margarine and yoghurt containers, potato chip bags, cereal bags, and other products. Although polypropylene is recyclable and considered safe for reuse, many recyclers still do not accept it.
Some cities are collecting sorted materials, but because recycling can be complicated and costly, many cities are not paying sorting facilities to pull out the materials that can be recycled or reused. All plastics can technically be recycled through a process called pyrolysis, where plastics are heated in a closed, oxygen-free environment so they don't burn. However, this process is not commonly used, and most cities do not recycle plastics #3 to #6.
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Plastic #5 and #6 are harder to recycle, and some centres do not process them
Plastic products are often stamped with a resin code, which is a number between one and seven inside a small triangle made of arrows. This number is an important indicator of the different types of plastic and their distinct recycling instructions. Generally, most recycling centres accept plastics #1 and #2, which are considered safe for reuse. These include plastic bottles for soda, water, and other drinks, as well as milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and detergent containers.
However, plastics #3 to #6 are more difficult to recycle, and some recycling centres do not process them at all. This includes Polypropylene (PP) and Polystyrene (PS) products, which are used for disposable coffee cups, packing peanuts, containers, and coolers. While PP is considered safe for reuse, many recycling centres still do not accept it. On the other hand, PS, commonly known as Styrofoam, is challenging to recycle due to its tendency to get tangled in recycling equipment. As a result, some municipalities prohibit placing these plastics in recycling bins.
The difficulty in recycling plastic #5 and #6 stems from the fact that they require specialized handling. They have different melting temperatures and processing needs compared to other plastics, making them less desirable for recycling companies. Additionally, certain plastic resins that don't fit into the first six categories are categorized as #7, which is even more challenging to recycle and often excluded by recycling centres.
Despite the challenges, it is important to note that all plastics can be recycled through a process called pyrolysis, where plastics are heated in an oxygen-free, closed environment to prevent burning. This process reduces the plastic to basic ingredients that can be used to produce new plastics, fuel, and other derivatives. However, this technology needs further development and wider implementation in the recycling industry to reduce landfill waste and environmental harm.
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Blosburg Recycling may not accept plastic #5 and #6 cups, but they can be recycled through a process called pyrolization
While Blosburg Recycling may not accept plastic #5 and #6 cups, these materials can still be recycled through a process called pyrolysis. This advanced recycling method breaks down plastic waste at a molecular level through thermal decomposition, chemical dissolution, or mechanical separation. Pyrolysis is particularly useful for hard-to-recycle plastics like polystyrene cups, which are commonly stamped with a #6 resin code.
Pyrolysis involves heating waste in an oxygen-free, closed environment to temperatures typically around 500°C, which can be achieved through various methods such as molten salt baths, fluidized bed systems, and vacuum ovens. This process reduces the plastic to its basic ingredients, such as naphtha, which can then be used as feedstock for new chemical and plastic products. Pyrolysis can also be used to produce industrial waxes, fuel oil, and fuel gas, which can be used to power the pyrolysis plant itself.
While pyrolysis is an effective way to recycle plastic #5 and #6 cups, it is important to note that this process is not widely used. It is described as "very, very, very, very difficult" by Steve Jenkins, vice president of chemicals consulting at Wood Mackenzie. Additionally, the pyrolysis process has been found to release carcinogens and produce more greenhouse gases than making plastic from crude oil.
Despite these challenges, pyrolysis has been touted as a potential solution to the plastic crisis, with American and European regulators subsidizing pyrolysis facilities and easing air pollution rules for the process. However, critics argue that pyrolysis is not a viable solution, as it does not effectively curb plastic waste and may cause more harm than good due to the release of toxic chemicals.
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McDonald's is testing a new type of clear drinking cup made from 50% recycled content
The test cups are designed to be nearly identical to the regular McDonald's cups in terms of appearance and functionality, ensuring that customers still enjoy the same McDonald's experience. However, the new cups offer enhanced sustainability and recyclability. After use, customers can simply rinse and recycle the cups at home or in any recycling bin, contributing to the creation of more recycled materials.
This initiative is part of McDonald's broader sustainability goals and partnerships. The company aims to source 100% of guest packaging from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025. To make this test possible, McDonald's collaborated with TMS-HAVI, who engaged industry leaders Pactiv Evergreen, Neste, INEOS, and LyondellBasell, with each partner bringing their expertise to the project.
The mass balance method is employed to measure and track recycled and biobased inputs, even as traditional fossil-fuel sources are mixed in the process. This method is certified by ISCC Plus, an independent organization providing a globally applicable certification system for the sustainability of raw materials and products. McDonald's is optimistic that this test is a significant step towards addressing plastic pollution and creating a more sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear whether Blosburg Recycling accepts plastic cups with the number 5 or 6. However, these numbers typically denote the type of plastic resin used, not its ability to be recycled. Most recycling centers accept plastics #1 and #2, while plastics #3 to #6 are more difficult to recycle.
Plastic cups are typically made from polystyrene or polypropylene. Polystyrene is a type of plastic #6, which is not recycled by most cities. Polypropylene, on the other hand, is recyclable, although many recyclers don't accept it.
Yes, some places that may recycle plastic cups with the number 5 or 6 include Seattle and Massachusetts. Seattle accepts rigid plastic food containers, such as cups, bottles, and takeout containers, regardless of their resin number. In Massachusetts, there is a statewide waste ban that prohibits the disposal of single-use resin bottles in trash bins, making recycling mandatory for these containers.
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